New Horizons Un-Limited Inc. New Horizons Un-Limited Inc.The State of Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Division of Vocational Rehabilitation has a new website. DVR Programs, DVR Offices and Personnel provides listings of the counties served by each dvr, directions and maps, e-mail address and links to offices with websites. Services for Persons with Disabilities, Services for Employers, and Training Opportunities are available at this site. DVR works together with persons with disabilities to provide an array of employment-related services statewide. To search the Wisconsin Job Service Database, check out: JobNet.
is a group of organizations seeking to get a comprehensive, community based, consumer directed system of personal assistance services in Ohio. Eligibility will be based on functional need rather than type of disability or age. This act will require that medicaid money can be redirected to consumer choice of services required. Ohio CILs are asking people to get involved by contacting state representatives and local CILs and urging support for consumer-controlled PAS programs. Contact The Ability Center of Greater Toledo.
By Gretchen Schuldt in the Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel, Sunday September 21, 1998. Check out this journal article concerning the 1997 lawsuit filed against the city of Milwaukee by Oconomowoc Residential Programs, Inc. and the Wisconsin Coalition for Advocacy alleging that the city mishandled the appeal to move two disabled women into a home and challenges a city ordinance governing special zoning variance if a proposed group home is within 2,500 feet of an existing group home.
A service of the National Federation of the Blind allows people who are blind the access to newspapers through the use of their telephones. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Division for Libraries and Community Learning through the state Universal Service Fund is providing a local telephone access in Madison and Milwaukee. You must fill out an application and return it to the National Federation of the Blind, 1800 Johnson Street Baltimore, Maryland 21230. Allow them 2 weeks to process your registration. You will be issued an identification number and a security code. Then call 224-5345 if you live in the Madison, Wisconsin Area and 286-0600 in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area to use the service. Chicago Tribune, New York Times and the Washington Post are available. For an application write the National Federation of the Blind or call 224-6161(Madison) or (286-3010) Milwaukee. If you live elsewhere in the U.S. you can obtain a local access number for the Newsline for the Blind by using the automated menu when you call 410-659-9314. #3 will give you an option of two lists: one by city and one by state.
If you need special equipment to use basic telephone services because of your disability and you are a Wisconsin resident, you may be able to receive a voucher(check) for the amount of money to purchase the equipment. You pay the first $100. You may qualify for a co-pay waiver if you cannot afford the $100. The TEPP is one of several different programs paid for by the Wisconsin Universal Service Fund established by the Public Service Commission. To get an application form or if you have questions, contact the Public Service Commission.
See the Director’s Corner of the Fall 1998 Breaking Away publication by IndependenceFirst. This article by Lee Shulz includes a list of advisory committees people with disabilities can serve on to be directly involved in developing policies that impact people with disabilities. He includes the State Independent Living Council, State of Wisconsin Long Term Support Planning Committee, Milwaukee County’s Long Term Support Planning Committee, State Rehabilitation Professional Advisory Committee, Independence First Advisory Committee, Wisconsin ADA Partnership, Wisconsin Council on Physical Disabilities, Governor’s Committee on Persons with Disabilities, Wisconsin Council on Developmental Disabilities, Blue Ribbon Commission on Mental Health Implementation Advisory Committee, Wisconsin Personal Service Alternatives, Inc. Contact Lee Schulz at IndependenceFirst, if you are interested in contacting and serving on these committees.
5K run or 2 mile walk and wheelchair race. This walk/run is sponsored by Society’s Assets an independent living center serving Racine, Kenosha, Walworth, Rock and Jefferson counties of Wisconsin. Proceeds from Pat’s Run/Walk are designated for the Society’s Assets Transportation Fund which subsidizes social and recreational outings coordinated for people with disabilities. To register contact Society’s Assets, 5200 Washington Avenue, Suite 225, Racine, Wisconsin 53406 or call (414)637-9128, ext. 221. Entry fee can be waived by submitting pledges. Trophies will be awarded for various categories.
These are Interact performances produced by the Interact Players of Minneapolis to be performed at the Wilson Park Senior Center, 2601 W. Howard Street. The performance is meant to provoke discussions for people of varying abilities. For more information or a registration form, call 414- 263-6732.
Kindcare, Inc. has opened a new Community Resource Center at 1016 Milwaukee Ave. South Milwaukee, The Resource Center is a drop-in facility for people with disabilities. For more information call the Resource Center Supervisor at 571-5566, ex. 227.
A new advocacy group has formed called Equal Access for Affordable Housing or EAAH. Their mission is to increase housing opportunities for people with disabilities in Kenosha county. For more information call (414)597-9547 or (414) 553-1044.
Wisconsin Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped through the Donated Dental Service (DDS) program is offering free comprehensive dental care services to people of all ages with a serious disability, advanced age, or medical condition that do not have enough income to pay for dental care. There is no cost to qualifying individuals, however if you can pay for part of the care, you may be encouraged to do so. For an application or more information on the program, call (414)276-0370.
Wisconsin State Fair Park is offering discounted admission to the fair for persons with disabilities ($5.00). There is also a designated area for disabled parking, if you enter at Gate 1. A wheelchair service center will be sponsored by the National Spinal Cord Injury Association and will have wheelchairs and walkers available for the disabled at the south end of the track. You can find information on schedules, events, features, and other services at their website. For recorded information line 1-800-884-FAIR (from Wis. or Northern Illinois) for special needs call (414)-266-7100.
Consumer Forums have been announced by the Wisconsin Coalition of Independent Living Centers, Inc. If you have ideas, questions or concerns regarding the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services' Long Term Care Redesign Proposal, plan to attend one of the Consumer Forums to be held around the state! The DHFS is welcoming your input! The following dates, times and locations of Consumer Forums announced by WCILC may be subject to change. Verify the following schedule by calling the Center for Independent Living nearest you before you go!
Independence First -May 20, 1998, 1:30-4:30p.m., Washington Park Senior Center, 4420 W. Vliet Street, Milwaukee, WI (414)291-7520
Access To Independence - June 2, 1998, 1-5p.m.., Madison Civic Center, Starlight Room, 211 State Street, Madison, WI (800)362-9877
Options for Independent Living - June 3, 1998, 1-4p.m., Midway Hotel, 780 Packer Drive, Green Bay, WI, (888)-465-1515 ext 183
CILWW - June 10, 1998, 1-4 p.m., Sacred Heart Hospital Rotunds, 900 W. Clairmont, Eau Claire, WI, (800)228-3287
Society's Assets - June 11, 1998, 1-4p.m., Racine Gateway Tech. College, The Michigan Room, Racine, WI, (414) 637-9128
Great Rivers - June 25, 1998, 1-4:30 p.m., Onalaska Omni Center, Onalaska, WI (888) 474-5747
North Country - June 26, 1998, 1-4:30 p.m., Superior Public Library, 1530 Tower Ave., Superior, WI (800) 924-1220
Midstate Independent Living, July 7, 1998, 1-4 p.m.North Central Tech. College, Rm. 101/102, Wausau, WI, (800) 382-8484
The Welcome H.O.M.E. project is now complete and the Demonstration Home for people with disabilities is now open! Not only offering a vacation get away, the home demonstrates ideas for people to remodel their own homes. This new "House of Modification" serves as a “demonstration home” featuring the latest in access-friendly features and technology for people with disabilities.
The Demonstration Home is located at 4260 W. Hawthorne Dr., Newburg, Wisconsin, 1/2 mile north east of Newburg on Highway Y (North of Milwaukee, seven miles east of West Bend).
The site has accessible picnic tables and is adjacent to a nature center with trails suitable for both wheelchairs and those with vision problems.
The demonstration home has 2 guest rooms, 2 bathrooms and a family room with kitchen sink, microwave, small refrigerator, gas fireplace and TV. The home is for public accommodation, no assistance is provided.
If you are interested in visiting the demonstration home or spending the night, call (414)675-2525 to make arrangements.
Internet Learning Day is a free event in the Alumni Memorial Union at Marquette University. Exhibits and free workshops are for the beginner to learn more about the Internet. Co-sponsored by ExecPC of Milwaukee. For more information see Internet Learning Day.
Contact Transit Plus at 278-4091 or the Ombudsman in the Milwaukee County Executive Office for Persons with Disabilities a (414) 278-3933 (V) 414-278-3937 (TDD) or 414-278-3939 (Fax) during this redesign of the program for more information on what Transit Plus is doing to get more rides or a new listing of the van carriers. If you have called the Transit Plus van carrier and they cannot give you a ride, you can now contact the Transit Plus Ride-Line at 278-2992. 8:00am -4:30 Monday thru Friday. If you call and get the answering service, leave your name, phone number and a message detailing the kind of assistance you require.
Title 19 non-emergency transportation: If you are eligible for SSI Supplemental Security Income you are eligible for Title 19 or Medical Assistance and Medicaid. Transportation to and from your medicaid covered appointments and services may be covered by Title 19. For specific information about Title 19 please contact the Milwaukee County Department of Human Services, 289-6897(V)
This article reports on Governor Thompson’ s new budget proposal to include Wisconsin’s Long Term Care Redesign called “Family Care” and the proposed increase to the Community Options Program (COP) and voices Independence First’s concerns about the plan. Check out the Director’s Corner article on Wisconsin’s Long Term Care Redesign in the Spring 1998, Breaking Away Newsletter from IndependenceFirst, now on-line.
If you need to file a complaint about getting a ride in the Milwaukee County, Wisconsin area from Transit Plus this article tells you who to call or write. Check out the Transit Plus Update article in the Spring 1998, Breaking Away Newsletter from IndependenceFirst, now on-line.
Assembly Democrat Tom Springer from Wausau to Introduce Housing (from Access Info. Winter, 1997) and Visitability bill, Check out the ASSembly Democrat Tom Springer to Introduce Housing Bill article in the Spring 1998, Breaking Away Newsletter from IndependenceFirst, now on-line.
Wisconsin advocates have prepared briefs of the 10 legislative issues of 1998 that they feel will impact people with disabilities the most. Check on these 1998 state and federal legislative issues that may change your life on the Independence Highway website in March.
Now there is a way to get call waiting and caller ID for your telephone calls, if you are deaf or hard of hearing. There is a visual device that can let you know when someone is trying to call you while you are already on the phone with someone else, but it also gives you the name and phone number of the caller, date, time of call and the number of calls waiting.. This unit is called TT SYSTEMS CALLER ID WITH CALL WAITING and is available at UniversaLink Customer Service: (414)790-9200
The Easter Seal Society of Wisconsin, Inc. is offering Helpline, a service to help people in Outgamie County, Wisconsin find the services they need when dealing with any disability. "Callers can receive up-to date information about local, regional and national programs that serve people with disabilities."
For more information see the Easter Seal Society of Wisconsin, Inc. homepage or email: jillg@sparknet.net or call the Disability Helpline at 920-832-0344.
Transit Plus, Milwaukee County Paratransit Service which provides subsidized transportation service to individuals with disabilities is being restructured.
Two news articles concerning Transit Plus were in the February 5, 1998, Vol 19, No. 6 edition of the Shepherd Express newspaper of Milwaukee, WI : "Auditors Cite Overbilling in Disabled Transit" and "Disabled Sue County over Transit." See the Shepherd Express for a copies of these news articles.
The Milwaukee County Commission has asked for users to contact them during this time of the restructuring of Transit Plus.
If you have concerns, ideas etc. about specialized transportation issues, write The Office for Persons with Disabilities, 901 N. 9th Street, Room 307 B, Milwaukee, WI 53233 (414)278-3933 V; (414)278-3937 TDD; (414) 278-3939
Transit Plus has also established a Helpline to assist in making ride arrangements, call 257-6600 (voice).
VITA - Volunteer Income Tax Assistance - offers assistance in income tax preparation for people with disabilities in the Milwaukee County area. VITA cites are still being established.
If you wish to volunteer to assist others in income tax preparation at a VITA site - you must take a training course, pass a test and commit to 3 hrs. a week at a VITA site. Contact the Ameritech Volunteer Hotline (800) 362-0045 for more information or to volunteer.
The van transportation company Meda-Care (now Transit Express) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin at (414)264-7433 will no longer be offering the low rate of $2.50 per trip. The company said their User Side Subsidy was not renewed. The company said they would of course be accepting Title 19 and also private payment.
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee - Omnifest - which has offered an on-line service to the internet to the Milwaukee community at a low cost or no cost will be canceling this service as of Spring 1998. The Omnifest system is shutting down because of lack of grant money and falling public membership renewals. For a recorded message or to contact Omnifest call (414) 227-3148.
The Ameritech Pioneers are working on a project that will take the problems out of vacationing for people with disabilities.
Through the Welcome H.O.M.E. project, they are building a bed and breakfast for people with disabilities. The facility will also serve as a “demonstration home” that will feature the latest in access-friendly features and technology for people with disabilities. Not only offering a vacation get away, the home will demonstrate ideas for people to remodel their own homes.
The bed and breakfast will be located 1/2 mile north east of Newburg, Wisconsin on Highway Y (North of Milwaukee, seven miles east of West Bend). The site has accessible picnic tables and trails suitable for both wheelchairs and those with vision problems. NHU will keep you posted when and how this Newburg Bed and Breakfast will open.
Disabled Parking ID Cards or Disabled Parking License Plates applications or questions:
call Voice (608) 266-3041
TTY(608) 264-8703
7:45AM-4:15PM
To apply for Disabled Parking ID Card write:
Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Division of Motor Vehicles,
Special Plates Unit - ID,
P.O. Box 7306
Madison, WI 53707-7306
To apply for Disabled Parking License Plates write:
Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Division of Motor Vehicles
Special Plates Unit,
P.O. Box 7911
Madison, WI 53707-7911
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